4.0 Questions related to questionnaire content

4.1 What’s new in 2001?

4.2 How is the content of the Census of Agriculture determined?

4.3 What were the specific changes to the published data in 2001 Census of Agriculture compared to 1996?

4.4 Why aren’t there different questionnaires for different types of agricultural operations?

4.5 Why do you need names, addresses and telephone numbers on the questionnaire?

4.6 Why doesn’t the Census of Agriculture use sampling?

4.7 How do you evaluate the quality of the data provided?

4.8 How do you evaluate undercoverage?

4.9 Are hobby farms included in the Census of Agriculture?

4.10 Why do you ask the questions on land management?

4.11 Why doesn’t the Census of Agriculture collect statistics on aquaculture?

4.12 Why are the injury data from 1996 and 2001 not directly comparable?

4.1 What’s new in 2001?

The 2001 Census of Agriculture questionnaire contains many of the questions asked in 1996, as well as some new ones. Some questions remain unchanged to maintain consistency and comparability of data over time. Other questions were added or deleted to reflect changes in the agriculture industry. For example:

• the section on computer use has been expanded to ask how computers are used
• two new questions have been added on certified organic farming.

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Census of Agriculture staff consulted with data users at a series of workshops held across Canada in 1998. Agricultural producer groups, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada analysts, other public and private sector analysts and academics were all consulted on the nature and extent of data they required. New or modified questions were then developed and tested with farm operators to ensure that they were able and willing to provide responses. The test results were used to finalize the content and design of the 2001 questionnaire for approval by Cabinet.

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Some of the changes to the questionnaire are conceptual while others are wording changes. All these changes were based on extensive user consultation, respondent testing and results from the previous census. The following are the changes Step by Step in the order they appeared on the questionnaire. Steps unchanged from the 1996 Census are identified as such.

• No changes

• Questions on custom work and type of other business operated were dropped in 2001

• Question on the operation of another business was merged with the question on wages or salary received from other employment.

• The 1996 questions on year of incorporation for corporate farms and on other types of operations were omitted from the 2001 Census questionnaire.

• Indicate the type of computer application used was added as a new question.

• No changes

• The 1996 question on Area sharecropped, rented or leased from others 1996 was split into two separate categories:
  • Area rented or leased from others
  • Area crop shared from others.

• Chick peas, Ginseng and Caraway seed are new variables in 2001.
• Fababeans, Triticale and Safflower were removed and are reported under Other field crops.
• All other tame hay cut for hay or silage and Other fodder crops categories used in 1996 were combined into one category: All other tame hay and fodder crops cut for hay or silage.

Step 8. Vegetables

• No changes

• No changes

• The Producing area column was added for all fruit trees and nuts, and the Number of bearing and non-bearing categories was dropped

• Saskatoons were added as a separate category.

• The question on number of Christmas trees harvested in 1996 was not on the 2001 questionnaire.

• No changes

• No changes

• No changes

• No changes

• Green manure crops for plough-down and Mechanical or hand weeding of crops were added to question 108.

• No changes

• No changes

The Heifers, 1 year and over category used in 1996 was split into three separate sub-categories:

• for beef herd replacement
• for dairy herd replacement
• for slaughter or feeding.

• No changes

The categories All other pigs—under 45 lbs. and All other pigs—45 lbs. and over used in 1996 was replaced with:

• Nursing and weaner pigs
• Grower and finishing pigs.

• Wild boars and Elk were added as separate categories and the Rabbits category was dropped, although rabbits were still reported under Other livestock.
• Alpacas are now listed with llamas.

• No changes

• Number of items column used in 1996 was split into two categories:
• Number owned
• Number leased

• Irrigation equipment was added as a separate category
• Separate categories on Two-wheel drive and Four-wheel drive tractors were dropped from the 2001 questionnaire
• Tractors under 20 hp., Tractors 20-39 hp., and Tractors 40-99 hp. used in 1996 were combined into one category: Tractors under 100 hp
• Self-propelled grain combines and Pull-type grain combines used in 1996 were combined into one category: Combines
• Swathers and Mower conditioners used in 1996 were combined into one category: Swathers and mower-conditioners
• Balers making bales less than 200 lbs. and Balers making bales 200 lbs. or more used in 1996 were combined into one category: Balers.

• Custom work, contract work and machinery rental expenses used in 1996 was split into two separate categories:
• Custom work and contract work
• Rental and leasing of farm machinery, equipment and vehicles.

• Diesel fuel, gasoline, oil and lubricants for farm machinery and Fuel expenses for heating and crop drying used in 1996 were combined into one category: All fuel (diesel, gasoline, oil, wood, natural gas, etc.).
• Rent and leasing of land and buildings on a cash basis and Rent and leasing of land and buildings on a share crop basis used in 1996 was combined into one category: Rental and leasing of land and buildings.
• Electricity and Telephone and all other telecommunication services used in 1996 were combined into one category: Electricity, telephone and all other telecommunication services.
• The Packaging material expenses and Insurance premiums categories no longer existed separately, but were included in All other farm business operating expenses.
• Question on percentage of seed, plants, cuttings and bulbs purchased commercially was dropped.

• No changes

• No changes

This was a new topic and consisted of two questions:

• Does this operation produce any certified organic products for sale?
• What certified organic products are being produced in 2001?
• Fruits, vegetables or greenhouse products
• Field crops (grains, oilseeds, etc.)
• Animals or animal products (meat, milk, eggs, etc.)
• Other (maple syrup, herbs, etc.)

The entire topic was excluded since more complete information is available through the Farm Financial Survey, which is conducted every two years.

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It would be too costly, time consuming and inefficient to provide separate questionnaires for different kinds of farms. The Census of Agriculture piggybacks its collection with the Census of Population thereby eliminating duplication of costs and work involved in the national collection. A standard questionnaire simplifies collection and respondent burden when enumerating all the different types of farms in Canada.

The Census of Agriculture provides a national picture of agriculture across Canada, by asking the same questions in every corner of the country. The census, because it involves all farms in Canada, picks up new crops and livestock in areas where they may not have been grown or raised before. The questionnaire has been designed so that operators only respond to those questions that apply to them.

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We need names and addresses to make sure that no farms are missed in the census and that none are counted twice. Telephone numbers are needed to contact operators quickly and easily if we find questions that were overlooked on the questionnaire.

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Because of the wide variety of farming operations in Canada and the dynamic nature of the industry, sampling only a portion of operations would not provide the national picture only the census can provide. Since the Census of Agriculture is the primary source for small-area data and for survey sampling, it is important that each agricultural operation complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire, regardless of size or geographic location. Samples are used for making agriculture estimates between census years.

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The 2001 Census of Agriculture results published have been rigorously analysed by subject-matter specialists to identify and correct errors. Errors can occur at reporting time, during data capture and processing, or as a result of farm operations being missed or double counted. The data were also compared with annual published estimates, specialized surveys, administrative data and previous census results to identify and minimize undercoverage. Where necessary, respondents were also contacted to verify responses. Farms missed during initial collection were added to the census database.

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The 2001 Census of Agriculture incorporated a new survey to measure undercoverage. The estimated undercoverage rate for the 2001 Census of Agriculture was 5.6%. Undercoverage estimates do not include the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories or Nunavut. The last undercoverage survey was done in 1981. The results of the 2001 coverage evaluation survey remain virtually unchanged from 1981.

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Yes. Farms of all economic sizes are included as long as the operation has agricultural products intended for sale.

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Data users use this information to identify usage patterns of inputs such as herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers (including manure) and irrigation. The data also make it possible to track changes in land management practices, such as crop rotation, strip-cropping, and tillage practices.

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Although aquaculture is considered part of the agriculture industry, it was not included in the 2001 Census of Agriculture. Most fish farming takes place on operations unrelated to traditional farming. The industry is defined as those establishments primarily engaged in raising finfish, shellfish, or any other kind of aquatic animal on farms. Collecting aquaculture data on the Census of Agriculture would provide very incomplete information.

A Statistics Canada survey of the aquaculture industry that began in 1997 provides data mostly on revenues and expenses on a calendar-year basis.

More information about aquaculture statistics can be found on the main Statistics Canada Web site.

You can also access free tables about aquaculture by clicking on the blue Canadian Statistics button on the Statistics Canada Web site and searching under "Primary industries\ Fishing and trapping".

The data are not directly comparable because the injury question was worded differently on the 2001 questionnaire. The question now asks about farm-related injuries that required medical attention or resulted in lost work time. Previously, farm operators were not asked specifically about injuries that resulted in lost work time.